Cigarette package cutter



Nov. 5, 1940. M. WILMS CIGARETTE PACKAGE CUTTER Filed Nov. 9, 1938 Y NTOR. Wmfim INV ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to cigarette package openers and especially to a cutter whereby one end or a portion of the cigarette package may be cut to permit the removal of the cigarettes.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of cigarette package cutters; to provide a cutter of the character described which is adapted to cut the outer Cellophane covering as well as the package proper, to provide a holder for the cutter which is transparent, so that the user can see how the cut is progressing and thereby better control the length of the cut or the size of the flap formed thereby; to provide a gauge for the cutter which regulates the depth of the cut, so that mutilation or damage to theends of the cigarettes is avoided; and further to provide a cutter which may be operated in the manner of a saw, so that the out can be made with comparatively little effort.

The cutter is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawingv in which Fig. 1 is the perspective view of the cutter:

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line IIII, Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a cigarette package showing the manner in which the cutter is applied when starting or commencing the cut;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the cut completed;

Fig. 5 is another similar View showing the manner in which the flap may be closed.

eferring to the drawing in detail and particularly Figures 1 and 2, A indicates a rectangular shaped plate, on each end of which is formed a downwardly projecting shoulder or rib, such as indicated at 2. These ribs are provided to receive and secure a cutter blade 3. They also function as a gauge to determine the depth of the cut made by the cutter blade. The ribs or shoulders are preferably formed integral with the plate, and the whole may be formed in a mold from any one of a variety of moldable plastic materials. Recesses may be formed in. the inner face of each' rib as shown at 4, to receive the cutter blade, and the blade is secured therein by suitable cement, or the blade may be placed in the mold and surrounded by the plastic material during the molding operation. In actual practice, I prefer to employ a transparent plastic material, as this has certain advantages as will later appear.

Cigarette smokers, when buying a package, usually tear off the upper corner of the package so as to permit the removal of the cigarettes, one

by one. This is rather diflicult to do unless the Cellophane wrapper is completely removed and when that is done, the cigarettes have a tendency to dry out. By employing a cutter such as is here shown, it is not necessary to remove the Cellophane wrapper, as the blade cuts the Cellophane as well as the paper forming the package.

In actual operation, the plate or holder is placed in contact with the upper end of the package and on. an angle thereto, so as to start the cut on the corner of the package as shown in Figure 3. The plate or holder in which the cutter blade is secured, is held between two fingers of the hand and is moved back and forth like a saw. In this manner a cut is produced 25 withcomparatively little effort. As the cut advances the holder and blade is swung around as shown in Figure 4 and the cut may be extended as far along the top end of the package as may be desired. The plate or holder A, as already stated, is preferably transparent. In this manner, the operator can see how the cut is progressing and can make as small or large a cut in the top end of the package as may be desired. It should be noted that the package itself, is not only cut in this manner but that a flap such as is shown at 6 is formed. This flap is opened to assume the total line position shown at 6 in Figure 5, when cigarettesare tobe removed, and it is folded back as shown in Figure 5, and may be held in the closed position by the application of a rubber band, 1. If a package is carried loosely in a coat pocket or in a ladys purse, and if it is torn open in the usual manner, cigarettes are liable to fall out, and so is part of the 5 tobacco content. This necessitates the cleaning of the purse or pockets, every sooften. By cutting the package in the manner here shown, and by closing the flap by means of a rubber band, these objections are entirely overcome.

The cutting blade is spaced from the under surface of the rectangular shaped plate or holder A, a distance equal to the thickness of the several folds of Cellophane and paper forming the upper or closed end of the cigarette package. Hence, 4) when a cut is made, it will be made just below these layers of paper, and any danger of mutilating or cutting the ends of the cigarettes is thus avoided. Hence, the holder thus not only functions as a support for the cutting blade, but also 59 as a handle, whereby the cutter may be moved back and forth in a saw-like manner, and finally, it serves as a gauge, as it limits the depth at which the cut can be made.

The cutting blade proper is preferably thin like 5 a safety razor blade, and While it may have a straight cutting edge, an undulating edge such as is shown at 8, is preferred. The holder and cutter blades secured therein are comparatively small and compact, and as such can be readily carried in a purse or a convenient pocket, and While the device is particularly intended for cutting or forming a flap in the end of a cigarette package, it is equally useful for cutting the ends from cigars, etc. In addition, the upper surface of the holder, even though made from a transparent material, may be used as a display for advertising matter. 7

While this and other features of the invention have been more or less specifically described and illustrated, I wish it understood that changes may be resorted to Within the scope of the appended claim and that the materials and finish of the materials employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate. For instance, while I prefer a holder or plate which is transparent, this is not entirely Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A device of the character described comprising a rectangular-shaped plate, a pair of lugs formed on the under side of the plate, said lugs commencing at one side edge of the plate and terminating at a point approximately midway of the width of the plate, and a thin cutter blade secured between the lugs, said blade having its flat surface parallel to the under surface of the rectangular plate and spaced therefrom a distance equal to the depth of the cut to be made, and said rectangular plate extending forward of the cutting edge of the cutter blade a suificient distance to permit the rectangular plate to function as a support, a guide, and a gauge for the cutter blade when this is brought into engagement with the end of a cigarette package to be cut.

MARTIN WILMS. 

